Clutch mechanism.



PATENTED Nov. 5,1907..

J. HARTNESS.

CLUTCH MEGHANISM.

APIIIOATION FILED MAB. zo, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNEESES:

' No. 870,288. Y PATENTED NOV. 5, 1907.

\ J. HARTNESS.

CLUTCH MEGHANISM. I APPLIGATION HLBD MAR. z 0, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '2 JAMES HARTNESS, OF SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT.l

CLUTCH ME CHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed March 20| 1903. Serial No. 148.717.

To all whom et may concern:

Be it known that I7 JAMES HAR'rNnss, of Springfield, in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention has relation to mechanical appliances, and has for its object to provide means for moving one orrtwo rotary members axially with relation to the other by the power of the driving shaft rather than relying on the strength of the operator to accomplish that end. It has heretofore been proposed to accomplish this end in a general wayin clutch or other mechanisms by complicated mechanism, including worms and mechanism for gearing one of the worms to the rotating shaft, but such mechanisms are costly` cumbersome, and incapable of long continued use.

According to the illustrated embodiment of my invention` an actuator, such as a cam, is mounted upon the driving member or shaft, and it may be moved into such position by a stationary abutment that it will force two clutch members together. Means are further devised by which the actuator may be employed for the purpose of actuating the 'movable members of two clutch mechanismsupon the same shaft, being provided with a double set of cam surfaces. The actuator is secured upon the shaft so as to rotate therewith, and yet is so pivotally mounted upon the shaft that it may oscillate about its pivot so as to be brought into engagement with either of said movable clutch members.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure l represents in plan view a clutch mechanism embodying the invention. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the same, with one of the clutches in section. Fig. 3 represents a section on the line 3-3 ot Fig. 2. lg. 4 represents a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a section similar to Fig. 4, and illustrates one of the cam dogs in the act of operating the cam. Fig. 6 represents a view looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5, and showing the clutch in section.A Fig. 7 represents a face view of one of the clutch mechanisms. Fig.A 8 represents a longitudinal section through the mechanisms. Fig. 9 represents another embodiment of the invention, the same being shown in plan view. Fig. l0 represents a section on the line lO-IO of Fig. 9. Fig. ll represents a section on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9. Fig. l2 represents in end view one of the cam-operat ing dogs.

On the drawingsz-The shaft 20 constitutes the driving member, the precise form of which is immatei rial, and in lieu of which any rotating body may be employed. Upon this shaft are placed two clutch members 21 22. Each of these two members is held against longitudinal movement by a collar 23 screwed on the shaft and a washer 24. The collar` in each case is secured after adjustment by a set-screw 25 and a bearing block or pin 26, the end of which is grooved to fit-the threads on the shaft and prevent their injury when the screw is driven home.

Each ofthe two members 2l 22 is provided with an internally beveled rim for frictional engagement with a complemental member. The member 22 is keyed to the shaft so as to rotate therewith', whereas the member 2l is loose upon the shaft, and is formed with a spur gear 29 on its hub. The two movable clutch members are indicated at 27 28 respectively. The-member 27 is splined upon the shaft 20 so as to be capable of longitudinal movement thereon, whereas the member 28 is adapted to rotate loosely upon the shaft except when clutched to the member 22. Of the two clutches, the member 22 of one clutch is the driving member, although it is held against longitudinal movement on the shaft, whereas in the other clutch, the member 27, though movable longitudinally, is the driving member. The member 28 is formed in its periphery with gear teeth to constitute a gear 30 which is greater in diameter than the gear 29 so that the two' gears may be intermeshed with proper gears on another shaft or body, so as to impart a differential rotation thereto. The hub of the clutch member 28 is provided with sockets parallel to its axis, in which are placed coiled springs 31. These springs bear against pins 32 which project from said sockets and press against the hub of the member 22. The clutch member 2l is likewise provided with similar sockets for the reception of springs 33, bearing against pins 341, the projecting ends of which press against the hub of the member 27. These springs and pins tend to move the movable members 27 28 to inoperative or unclutched position at the proper time, as will be explained.

Placed against the hubs of the members 27 28 are two collars 34 35 which are splined to the shaft so as to rotate therewith but be capable of longitudinal movement thereon, and said collars are formed with confronting cam portions 3G 37 respectively. They are separated, as shown, to receive between them a cammember or actuator indicated as a whole at 38. This cam-member is pivotally supported upon a pin or pivot 39, which passes through the shaft 20,80 that the cam may rock in lines longitudinal of the shaft. The said cam is provided with outwardly projecting swells 40 4l, for engagement with the cams 36 37 upon the collars 34 35 respectively. When the cam is in an intermediate or neutral position, as shown in Fig. l, both clutch members 27 28 are unclutched from their complemental members 2l 22 but by swinging said cam to the right or to the left, the members 27 28 may be forced into clutched relation with their complemental members, as will be readily understood.

For the purpose of actuating the cam, one or more dogs, which are in the nature of abutments, may-be employed. For the mechanism shown in Figs. l to 8, inclusive, three dogs 42 43 44. are mounted ina-.suitable support 45, in proximity to the cam; each dog being normally held in a retracted or inoperative position by a spring 46 and pin 47, bearing against a pin or projection 48 extending laterally from the dog, as shown in Fig. 5.

Each dog may be manually projected intoengagement with the cam to effect the actuation of the cam. To this end, the cam iscurved in= the directionroi-S its periphery with two raised portions-49 50, the4 edges oi which converge soas to'form` cam surfaces-x y, respectively. The most co'ntractedl portion ot the space'between the cam edgesx y. is` wide enough to-y receive either one oi. the dogsv or keys, as they may be termedf, 42 43 44'.

The cam portions on the periphery of the rocking cam are so related to the pivot 39Ythat when one oir-the` dogs is projected into-the space between the cam edges' a: y, the cam willibe rocked: inlone direction or the other, eit-her into position to clutch the member 27 or the member' 28 to its corhplemental member or'to bring the cam to neutral' position as showny in` Figs. li and 2'.

The operation of the devices is as iollowsz'-Assurning that the rocking cam or rocker, as it may be termed, for.l brevity, is in a neutral position, as-shownin Figs. l and 2, and that it may' be desired to move the member 27 into clutched relation to its complemental member 2l, the dog or key 42 may be forced inward manuallyby` the operator. As the shaft .rotates in the'direction. of the arrow in Fig. 3, the cam suriace engages the end oi' theA dog, and the cam is rocked laterally to the position shown in. Fig, 6, with the result that the cam projection 40 engages the cam projection 36 on the collar 34and forces the member 27 against the tension of the springs-33 into frictional engagement with the member 2l-so as to connect the gear 29 to the shaft 20., It will be observed from- Fig. 2v that the cam projections 36 37 on the collars 34 35'are in alinement with the end oik the pivot 39'and thatlthe projections 40 41l onthe rocker ar'e in a line parallel to the line connecting the camV projections 36 37. The relation of the various'cams'is such,I however, that when the rocker. is oscillated` aboutY its axis, the cam projection 40 or 4l is swung'into'the said line connecting the projections 36 37 and the'pin 39, and will remain in that position untilthe rocker is positively moved in the opposite-direction.

It is evident that this construction may be varied as' desired. For instance, in Figs. 9 to-y 12, inclusive, another embodiment of the inventionis illustrated in which the keys are provided with` the cam surfaces for actuating the rocker. In this case, th'e'keys which are indicated at 53 54 are mounted on opposite sides of the shait, and are provided on their ends with cam surfaces x y, corresponding tothe surfaces x y respectively on the rocker. I The rocker is pivoted upon the pinv 39,k as before described, but it consists of a yoke 55 having the cam-projections 4l 42', but also having anl arm 56 which is adapted to engage a cam surface :c/ y, as the shaft rotates. With this construction', the rocker may be pivoted to theA shaft or to a pulley so asto clutch the pulley to the shaft. The operation of the rocker with respect to, the movable .clutch members is substantially the same as' that hereinbeiore described.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention,

and described a way of constructing and using the .1 same, although withoutA attempting to set forth all oi the forms in which it may be made, or all of the modes ot its use, I'. declare that what I claim is 1. In combination, a shaft, two members having complemental engaging surfaces, one of said members being fixed i to'` said shaft andthe other' loose'tlrer'eon, anil one of saidmembers being axially movable with respect to' the other', a

non-rotary device, means for' holdingl said device against movement in lines parallel to the axis of said shaft, and an actuator pivoted to said shaft, and adapted when engaged" by said device to move on its pivot and move said axiallymovable member relatively to both said device and said actuator'.

2. In combination, a. support, two rotatable members on said support havingxcomplemental engaging; faces, of which members one is axially movable with respect to the other', an actuator' pivoted on said support and having means for moving one of said members axially relatively to said'actlr ator intoengagement with the other member and holding it against r'everse'movement, whereby said members are caused to rotate together; and a stationary abutment for' intermittently engaging and movingsaid actuator'.

3. In combination, a support, two members on said support of which` one is axially movable with respect to the other said members having. complemental engaging sur-` faces, an actuator' pivoted upon said support and having a cam for' moving' one of said members axially and holding it against reverse movement, and means for' oscillating said actuator.

4. In combination, two rotary members having' complemental engaging surfaces, one of said membersbeing movable axially with respect to the other, non-rotar'y devices, relatively to which said members rotate, held against movement in lines parallel to'the axes of said members, and an actua-tor' rotatablewith one ot' said members but movable relatively thereto when engaged by said non-rotary devices to impel the movable member axially in either direction with relation to the actuator and to the other of said member's without stopping tlre'rotation of said actuator'.

In combination, two rotary members of which one is axially movable with respect to the other, an actuator' rotatable with one of said members but pivoted independently thereof and movable relatively thereto to effect the axial actuation of the movable member', and a non-rotary member' adapted to be projected into the path of tbe actriator in consequence of which said actuator' swings it about its pivot and causes the axial movement of said movable member relatively to both said actuator and the other member'.

6; In combination, two rotary members 'having complemental surfaces for engagement, one of saidA members.

being` axially movable with respect to the other, an actriator' rotatable with one of said members supported independently of said member' and movable relatively thereto to impel said movable member axially to cause the engagement or disengagement of' said surfaces, and independent keys for engagement with said actuator' to move it in one direction or' the other.

7. In combination, two rotary members of which one is axially movable with respect to the other, an actuator connected to one of said member'sto rotate therewith, but supported independently thereof and movable relatively thereto, said actuator' and the movable member' having complemental engagingsurfaces in consequence of which a movement of the actuator' effects the axial movement of said` member' relatively to the other' member', and relatively stationary means adapted toy be moved into the path of a )art of the actuator to move it in one direction or the other' whereby said rotary members may be clutched to rotate together or' unclutched, as the case may be.

8. In combination, two complemental members, one of said members being movable into engagement witlr the other', an actuator' rotatable'with one of said members but supported independently of and movable relatively to both said members in consequence of which it is adapted' to move the movable member relatively to its complemental member, and manually-operable keys held against movement longitudinally1 of the lines of movement of said actulio ator and adapted to be thrust into engagement with said actuator to move it in either direction at will and thereby effect the engagement or disengagement of the two members.

9. In combination, two complemental clutch-members adapted to be moved into clutching relation. a stationary abutment, and means supported independently of but rotatable with one of said members, and movable relatively to said members so as to be engaged by said stationary abutment and moved to thereby move said clutch members into and out ot' clutched relation.

10. In combination, two rotatable members having complemental engaging surfaces, a stationary abutment and a pivoted device rotatable with one of said members and in wedging relation to one of said members, said device being adapted to engage said stationary abutment and be moved about its pivot, thereby to wedge one of said members into eng-agement with the other. 11. In combination, two complemental clutch-members adapted to be moved into clutching relation, a stationary abutment, and an oscillatory cam rotatable with one of said members and adapted to engage said stationary abutment so as to be actuated relatively to said members and by its movement to thereby move said clutch-members into clutched relation, said cam and said abutment having complemental engaging surfaces.

12. In combination, two complemental clutch-members adapted to be moved into clutching relation, an actuator rotatable with one ot' said members, and adapted to move said members into clutched relation, a plurality of keys normally in inoperative position and adapted to be operl ated singly to operate said actuator, and stationary means for supporting said keys.

13. In combination, a shaft, two members ot' which one is splined upon and the other is loose upon the shaft, and of which one is axially movable and the other is axially stationary, said members having complemental surfaces for engagement, an actuator pivoted upon said shaft, and adapted to engage and move the axially movable member relatively to the other member, and a stationary abutment adapted to engage said actuator to swing it about its pivot.

l-l. In combination, a driving-shaft, complemental clutch members ot' which one is splined upon and the other is loose upon the shaft. and of which one is axially movable and the other is axially stationary, a rocking cam pivoted upon said shaft, and adapted to move the axially movable clutch member into engagement with its complemental clutchqnember, a stationary abutment adapted to engage said cam to rock it on its pivot, and a collar splined on said shaft and interposed between the cam and the rocking cam, said collar and said cam having cam-surfaces adapted to be engaged when the cam is rocked by said abutment to ettect the axial movement of said clutch-member.

15. In combination, a driving` shaft, two pairs of complemental clutch-members, the inner members of each pair being axially movable into clutched relation to their complemental members, and each pair having one member fast on and the other member loose on the said shaft, and an oscillatory actuator supported on said shaft independently of said members for moving said inner clutch members alternately into engagement with their complemental members.

16. In combination, a drivingshaft, two pairs of complemental clutch-members, the inner members of each pair being axially movable into clutched relation to their complemental members, and each pair having one member fast on and the other member loose on the said shaft, an actuator movable on and rotatable with said shaft for moving said inner clutch-members alternately into engagement with their complemental members, and a stationary abutment for moving said actuator.

1T. In combination, a driving-shaft, two pairs of complemental clutclrmembers, the inner members of each pair being axially movable into clutched relation to their complemental members, and each p'air having one member fast on and the other member loose on said shaft, a rocking cam rotatable with said shaft and having provisions for actuating said inner clutch members alternately, and a plurality of stationary independently operable abutments for rocking said cam.

1S. In combination, a driving-shaft, two pairs of complemental clutch-members, the inner members of each pair being axially movable into clutched relation to their complemental members, and each pair having one member fast on and the other member loose on said shaft, a rocking cam rotatable with said shaft, and having opposite camprojections adapted to be Abrought alternately into engagement with said inner clutch-members to move them axially, and independent leys or abutments adapted to engage said cam to rock it in one direction or the other.

In testimony whereof I have axed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES HARTNESS.

Witnesses:

J. M. BENNETT, AARON M. BAKER. 

